Blade structure of torque converter and method for producing blade structure of torque converter

Abstract

A blade structure of a torque converter, having a plurality of blades, is produced according to processes. The processes has (a) stamping a plane plate into a first shape, the first shape has (i) the plurality of circumferentially arranged blades, (ii) ring-shaped first connecting portions, each of which integrally couples the adjacent blades together at an outer circumference side of the blade structure, and (iii) ring-shaped second connecting portions, each of which integrally couples the adjacent blades together at an inner circumference side of the blade structure, (b) curving a surface of the stamped blade, (c) inclining the blade at a predetermined angle with respect to the first and second connecting portions while inclining the first and second connecting portions, and (d) adjusting a distance between the adjacent blades and shrinking the first shape in a radial direction by the inclination of the first and second connecting portions.

1. A blade structure of a torque converter, having a plurality of blades circumferentially arranged at a predetermined distance, the blade structure produced according to processes comprising:
 (a) stamping a plane plate into a first shape, the first shape having:
 (i) the plurality of circumferentially arranged blades; 
 (ii) ring-shaped first connecting portions, each of which integrally couples adjacent blades together at an outer circumference side of the blade structure; and 
 (iii) ring-shaped second connecting portions, each of the ring-shaped second connecting portions integrally coupled the adjacent blades together at an inner circumference side of the blade structure; 
 
 (b) curving a surface of a stamped blade between the first and second connecting portions; 
 (c) inclining the stamped blade having the curved surface at a predetermined angle with respect to the first and second connecting portions while inclining the first and second connecting portions with respect to a horizontal plane of the plane plate; and 
 (d) adjusting a distance between the adjacent blades and shrinking the first shape in a radial direction by inclination of the first and second connecting portions, 
 wherein the first connecting portion includes:
 (i) a deformable first adjustment portion which has first and second branch portions and is integrally coupled with one of the blades through the first and second branch portions; and 
 (ii) a first arc portion which integrally couples adjacent first adjustment portions together through the first and second branch portions, 
 
 wherein a distance between the adjacent blades is adjusted by overlapping the first and second branch portions in a circumferential direction and inclining the first arc portion in the circumferential direction, 
 wherein the second connecting portion includes:
 (i) a deformable second adjustment portion which has third and fourth branch portions and is integrally coupled with one of the blades through the third and fourth branch portions; and 
 (ii) a second arc portion which integrally couples adjacent second adjustment portions together through the third and fourth branch portions, and 
 
 wherein a distance between the adjacent blades is adjusted by overlapping the third and fourth branch portions in a circumferential direction and inclining the second arc portion in the circumferential direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The blade structure of the torque converter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first and second branch portions of the first adjustment portion are substantially formed into a V-shape that opens outwards in a radial direction. 
 
     
     
       3. The blade structure of the torque converter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the third and fourth branch portions of the second adjustment portion are substantially formed into a V-shape that opens inwards in a radial direction. 
 
     
     
       4. The blade structure of the torque converter as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the blade structure is installed into a shell member, and 
 wherein one of the blades has a protrusion for fixing a position of the one of the blades to the shell member upon the installation.